From the moment he arrived in this world, Faust had a clear vision.
He would lead the Kingdom of Aurum to greatness, climbing step by step until they stood at the very top. He would become a legendary emperor whose name would be remembered forever.
In the ten years since becoming a prince, Faust had thrown himself completely into this mission, working day and night relentlessly. What else could he possibly be striving for if not something extraordinary?
Something big. He had to accomplish something big.
[So that's it. You want to be a "Conqueror."]
Faust caught the implication in the Fae's words immediately. "Is that another type of protagonist in these scripts?"
[Indeed.
The "Conqueror" is a role Fate values quite highly. However, given your current situation, your chances of becoming one are essentially zero. To be frank, it's not happening.
Not because there's anything wrong with you personally, but because the circumstances simply won't allow it.]
Just as I thought...
Hearing the Fae's assessment, Faust felt a pang of disappointment.
The prince knew full well that conquering the world would be incredibly difficult. The Kingdom of Aurum was simply too weak.
This backwater little nation had only been around for a few decades.
It used to be nothing more than a border province ground beneath an empire's boot. Building it up from such humble beginnings would take generations.
At the very least, Faust himself would probably never see the day when they truly dominated.
If his descendants had what it took, maybe they could build on what came before and finally achieve that grand vision.
But Faust's disappointment lasted only a moment. He lifted his head, his eyes burning with determination.
"...Even so, my goal hasn't changed."
"Whether it means extending my lifespan or finding some incredible opportunity, there has to be a way, right? No matter what, I have to try, even if it kills me."
Rather than looking back in his final years full of regret for accomplishing nothing, Faust would rather give it everything he had and go down without regrets.
A real man either lives like a king or dies trying.
[...Interesting. I think we can make a deal.]
"A deal?"
Faust's eyes widened as he listened to the Fae continue:
[Don't look so surprised. In these endlessly boring ages, if we didn't find ways to entertain ourselves, most Fae would have succumbed to madness long ago.]
[Child of man, my original plan was to quietly observe the "Witch's Feast" playing out around you. But since you're so determined to forge ahead, I can help you get what you want.]
The prince responded quickly. "Are you sure that's all right? I mean... wouldn't you be..."
[It's not defying Fate. I'm simply doing my job. It just so happens that you've been caught up in Fate's design, and you just so happen to be under my watch.]
Faust understood what the Fae was getting at.
The so-called "Fate's script" didn't mean there was some incredibly detailed screenplay dictating every word each person had to say, every action they had to take, with zero room for deviation.
The "script" was just a rough outline. As the director, the Fae had plenty of wiggle room.
Faust's spirits lifted immediately, his earlier gloom completely swept away.
The help of a Fae! Forget about blessings—even if this ancient being just offered a little guidance with their vast wisdom and foresight, that alone would be an incredible advantage.
Faust steadied himself and asked:
"What do I need to give in return?"
Since this was a deal, there naturally had to be an exchange. If it were just a gift, he wouldn't even want it.
Getting the Fae's help and being completely dependent on the Fae were two very different things.
Still, no matter how much he racked his brain, Faust couldn't imagine what a Fae could possibly want from a mortal.
[A child of man who can awaken within a Witch's fate... such a thing has never happened in all of history.
Perhaps you truly can... Mm, I do want something, but not right now. Consider this my investment. When you're capable of helping me, we'll discuss it then.]
An investment, huh... That fit his expectations well enough. At least for now, he was completely useless to the Fae.
"Understood. I hope I'll get the chance to repay you someday."
Faust nodded, then asked:
"By the way, what should I call you?"
After all this conversation, he still didn't even know this Fae's name.
[...Mephisto. Just call me Mephisto.]
Mephisto... Faust had never heard of this particular Fae.
Though that wasn't surprising, while the existence of the Fae wasn't exactly secret, they were extraordinarily mysterious.
Very few mortals ever came into contact with them, and even fewer knew their names.
[I have plenty of patience to wait. But right now, your most pressing concern is dealing with the upcoming "Witch's Feast." This is serious.]
[Generally speaking, Fate's script will inevitably be completed. But when the actors on stage awaken, that inevitability gains an element of uncertainty.
If the predetermined fate can't be completed... that would be defying destiny, and the consequences would be catastrophic.]
Hearing Mephisto's warning, Faust grew serious as well. He weighed the crystal slipper in his hand and said:
"About that, I might have some ideas."
The prince sat down at his desk, picked up a pen and paper, and began organizing his thoughts carefully.
What he could confirm so far was that the fate script he'd been pulled into was most likely "Cinderella."
This was about as classic a template as they came, with countless versions across different eras and regions.
The image of Cinderella could be traced back very far.
The Greek historian Strabo had recorded a story in the 1st century BC about a Greek girl named Rhodopis who married into Egypt. This was considered the earliest version of the Cinderella story.
Rhodopis had been washing clothes by a stream when an eagle suddenly swooped down, snatched her shoe, and dropped it at the feet of the Pharaoh in Memphis.
The Pharaoh then ordered all the women in the land to try on the shoe to see if it fit, eventually finding Rhodopis.
If this world's "Fate's script" was also a version of Cinderella, it would probably follow a similar narrative arc.
What was the core structure of the Cinderella story?
Faust tapped his pen against the blank page, listing out a series of key points:
[Female protagonist suffering unjust treatment]
[Supernatural force provides assistance]
[Meeting with the male protagonist]
[Female protagonist identified through a specific object]
[Union of male and female protagonists]
All Cinderella stories more or less followed this arc. The details might vary, but the core stayed the same.
After Faust finished organizing his thoughts, Mephisto's voice rang out in his mind, filled with surprise:
[Oh, what precise analysis. How did you figure that out, Faust?]
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